Poverty Class 9 Short Notes With MCQs | Most Important Points, Master Chapter 3

Dimensions of Poverty

😔 Social Suffering

Challenge for Independent India

• Removing poverty is one of India’s biggest challenges.
• Mahatma Gandhi – “true independence would come only when the poorest are free from suffering.“

🧠MCQs on Dimensions of Poverty

Q1. Poverty means:
A) Only lack of money
B) Lack of hunger only
C) Lack of many basic needs like food, shelter, and health care
D) Only unemployment
➡️ Answer: C) Lack of many basic needs like food, shelter, and health care

Q2. Which of the following is not a dimension of poverty?
A) Lack of clean water
B) Lack of nutritious food
C) Lack of internet access
D) Lack of shelter
➡️ Answer: C) Lack of internet access

Q3. Poor people often suffer from:
A) Over-nutrition
B) Ill-treatment and helplessness
C) Too many job offers
D) Free healthcare
➡️ Answer: B) Ill-treatment and helplessness

Q4. According to Mahatma Gandhi, India would be truly independent when:
A) Every citizen gets a government job
B) The richest people pay more tax
C) The poorest are free from suffering
D) All states have equal income
➡️ Answer: C) The poorest are free from suffering

Q5. Which of these statements about poverty is true?
A) Poverty is only about low income
B) Poverty includes lack of education, health care, and dignity
C) Poverty affects only rural areas
D) Poverty is temporary for all people
➡️ Answer: B) Poverty includes lack of education, health care, and dignity

Poverty as Seen by Social Scientists

🔍 Understanding Poverty Through Indicators

• Poverty has many dimensions.
• Social scientists study poverty using a variety of indicators to measure how people live.
• They related poverty to levels of income and consumption.
• They also use non-income indicators to measure multidimensional poverty.

🧮 National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)

The National MPI in India uses three broad categories of indicators:

These indicators together give a complete picture of poverty beyond income.

🤝 Social Exclusion

• Social exclusion – some people are kept out of mainstream society.
• The poor are forced to live among the poor, excluded from social equality.
• It can be a cause and a result of poverty.
• It means denial of facilities, benefits, and opportunities that others enjoy.
• Example – caste system, where certain groups are denied equal opportunities.
• Social exclusion can cause more harm than just low income, as it limits people’s participation in society.

⚠️ Vulnerability

• Vulnerability to poverty shows how likely certain people or groups are to become poor.
• For example:
  • Widows, physically handicapped persons, or members of backward castes are more vulnerable.

• It also depends on how well people can handle risks like natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, tsunamis).
• In short, vulnerability = higher risk of suffering more during tough times (e.g., job loss, disasters).

🧠MCQs on Poverty as Seen by Social Scientists

Q1. Social scientists study poverty through:
A) Only income levels
B) A variety of indicators
C) Only employment data
D) None of the above
➡️ Answer: B) A variety of indicators

Q2. Traditional poverty measures were based on:
A) Health and education
B) Income and consumption
C) Sanitation and housing
D) Happiness index
➡️ Answer: B) Income and consumption

Q3. The National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is based on:
A) One indicator
B) Two indicators
C) Three broad indicators
D) Five indicators
➡️ Answer: C) Three broad indicators

Q4. Which of the following is a health indicator under MPI?
A) Sanitation
B) Nutrition
C) Housing
D) Electricity
➡️ Answer: B) Nutrition

Q5. Under education indicators, which is not included?
A) Years of schooling
B) School attendance
C) Literacy rate
D) Both A and B
➡️ Answer: C) Literacy rate

Q6. Which of these is a standard of living indicator?
A) Cooking fuel
B) Maternal health
C) School attendance
D) Child mortality
➡️ Answer: A) Cooking fuel

Q7. Which of the following does not fall under the standard of living category?
A) Electricity
B) Bank account
C) Years of schooling
D) Housing
➡️ Answer: C) Years of schooling

Q8. What does social exclusion mean?
A) Equal participation in society
B) Denying people benefits and opportunities
C) Giving everyone the same resources
D) Only income inequality
➡️ Answer: B) Denying people benefits and opportunities

Q9. Social exclusion can be:
A) Only a cause of poverty
B) Only a result of poverty
C) Both a cause and a result of poverty
D) Neither cause nor result
➡️ Answer: C) Both a cause and a result of poverty

Q10. Which system in India is a classic example of social exclusion?
A) Education system
B) Caste system
C) Political system
D) Health system
➡️ Answer: B) Caste system

Q11. Social exclusion leads to:
A) More job opportunities
B) Greater social equality
C) Damage beyond low income
D) Equal distribution of wealth
➡️ Answer: C) Damage beyond low income

Q12. Vulnerability measures:
A) The number of poor people
B) The likelihood of becoming poor
C) The total income of a country
D) The tax rate of the poor
➡️ Answer: B) The likelihood of becoming poor

Q13. Who among the following is more vulnerable to poverty?
A) A well-educated engineer
B) A widow in a rural area
C) A businessman
D) A doctor
➡️ Answer: B) A widow in a rural area

Q14. Vulnerability depends on:
A) Assets, education, health, and job opportunities
B) Height and weight
C) Age only
D) Political views
➡️ Answer: A) Assets, education, health, and job opportunities

Q15. Which event increases vulnerability to poverty?
A) Natural disasters
B) Inheritance
C) Festival celebration
D) Salary hike
➡️ Answer: A) Natural disasters

Q16. Vulnerable groups face:
A) Equal risks as others
B) Greater risks during difficult times
C) No risk at all
D) Only physical harm
➡️ Answer: B) Greater risks during difficult times

Q17. Example of a group vulnerable to poverty:
A) Skilled IT professionals
B) Members of backward castes
C) Business owners
D) Politicians
➡️ Answer: B) Members of backward castes

Q18. Vulnerability analysis includes:
A) Studying the number of cars a person owns
B) Understanding ability to cope with risks
C) Finding new taxes
D) Comparing urban and rural incomes
➡️ Answer: B) Understanding ability to cope with risks

Q19. Which statement about social exclusion is true?
A) It affects only rich people
B) It limits poor people’s access to opportunities
C) It improves equality
D) It is not related to poverty
➡️ Answer: B) It limits poor people’s access to opportunities

Q20. The main goal of studying multidimensional poverty is to:
A) Ignore non-income factors
B) Get a full picture of living conditions
C) Focus only on income tax
D) Measure only rural poverty
➡️ Answer: B) Get a full picture of living conditions

Poverty Line

📍 Meaning of Poverty Line

• The poverty line is an imaginary line used to separate the poor from the non-poor.
• Based on income or consumption levels.
• Consumption means the amount spent on essentials such as food, clothing, fuel, and shelter by a family.
• A person is considered poor if their income or consumption falls below the minimum level needed to meet basic needs.

🌏 Variation in Poverty Line

• What is considered necessary for basic needs differs from country to country and changes over time.
• Therefore, the poverty line varies with time and place.
• Example:
  • In the United States, not having a car may be seen as poverty.
  • In India, owning a car is still seen as a luxury.

Determining the Poverty Line in India

Earlier, India calculated the poverty line based on:

🥗 Calorie-Based Estimation

• The formula was based on calorie intake needed for a healthy life.
• Food items like cereals, pulses, vegetables, milk, oil, sugar, etc., were used to estimate this.
• Calorie needs vary with age, gender, and type of work.

🔢 Accepted Calorie Norms in India

• Rural people need more calories because of greater physical activity.
• The monetary value of food and other needs was used to fix the poverty line.
• This value was periodically revised to adjust for price rise (inflation).

Global and Multidimensional Approach

• Recently, India began using 12 developmental indicators under the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).
• The MPI complements the income-based method by measuring deprivations directly (e.g., education, health, living standards).

🧠MCQs on Poverty Line

Q1. The poverty line is based on:
A) Education level
B) Income or consumption levels
C) Savings
D) Wealth
➡️ Answer: B) Income or consumption levels

Q2. ‘Consumption’ means:
A) Income earned by a person
B) Amount spent on basic needs
C) Food eaten in a day
D) Money saved by a family
➡️ Answer: B) Amount spent on basic needs

Q3. A person is poor if:
A) Income/consumption is above the minimum level
B) Income/consumption is below the minimum level
C) He owns a car
D) He lives in an urban area
➡️ Answer: B) Income/consumption is below the minimum level

Q4. The poverty line varies because:
A) Food prices are same everywhere
B) Needs differ with time and place
C) It is fixed permanently
D) It is the same for all countries
➡️ Answer: B) Needs differ with time and place

Q5. Owning a car in India is seen as:
A) Necessity
B) Luxury
C) Poverty
D) Basic need
➡️ Answer: B) Luxury

Q6. The earlier method of calculating the poverty line in India considered:
A) Only food
B) Food, clothing, fuel, education, and medical needs
C) Only shelter
D) None of these
➡️ Answer: B) Food, clothing, fuel, education, and medical needs

Q7. The food-based estimation of poverty line was based on:
A) Calorie requirement
B) Income tax rate
C) Housing cost
D) Rent and electricity
➡️ Answer: A) Calorie requirement

Q8. The average calorie requirement in rural areas is:
A) 2100 calories
B) 2500 calories
C) 2400 calories
D) 2200 calories
➡️ Answer: C) 2400 calories

Q9. The average calorie requirement in urban areas is:
A) 2100 calories
B) 2400 calories
C) 2500 calories
D) 2000 calories
➡️ Answer: A) 2100 calories

Q10. Rural people need more calories because:
A) They eat less food
B) They do more physical work
C) They live in cold areas
D) They have higher income
➡️ Answer: B) They do more physical work

Q11. The monetary expenditure required to buy food and essentials is called:
A) Price index
B) Poverty line
C) Per capita income
D) Minimum wage
➡️ Answer: B) Poverty line

Q12. Poverty line in India is revised periodically because of:
A) Price rise (inflation)
B) Political reasons
C) Population growth
D) Tax policies
➡️ Answer: A) Price rise (inflation)

Q13. The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) measures poverty through:
A) Income and wealth
B) Direct deprivations
C) Government schemes
D) Savings rate
➡️ Answer: B) Direct deprivations

Q14. How many indicators are used in India’s Multidimensional Poverty Index?
A) 3
B) 7
C) 12
D) 5
➡️ Answer: C) 12

Q15. The MPI is used to:
A) Replace income method completely
B) Complement income or consumption-based poverty measurement
C) Measure only urban poverty
D) Eliminate calorie-based calculations
➡️ Answer: B) Complement income or consumption-based poverty measurement

✅ Quick Revision Tip:
Remember the “3Cs” of the Poverty Line —
C1: Consumption-based,
C2: Calorie-based,
C3: Continuously revised (due to inflation).

Poverty Estimates

📊 Meaning of Poverty Estimates

• Poverty estimates many people in a country are living below the poverty line.
• The number and proportion of poor people are measured using the Head Count Ratio (HCR).
• Head Count Ratio (HCR) = Percentage of people whose income or consumption is below the poverty line.

📉 Trends in Poverty Reduction

🕰️ During the 1990s

• The proportion of poor (based on consumption expenditure) declined from 45% to 37%.
• However, the total number of poor people remained around 40 crore (400 million).
• This means that even though the percentage decreased, the population growth kept the number of poor people high.

📆 During 2000–2011

• Both the proportion and the number of poor people declined.
• This indicates a real improvement in poverty reduction during this period.

📅 During 2015–2021 (Recent Period)

• The proportion of multidimensional poor (those deprived in health, education, and living standards) fell from 25% to 15%.
• According to official records, 13.5 crore people (135 million) escaped multidimensional poverty during this period.

🌾 Rural vs Urban Poverty Decline

• Rural areas have shown a faster decline in deprivation compared to urban areas.
• This means that poverty reduction programs have been more effective in rural India, improving access to health, education, and basic amenities.

✅ Quick Recap

In summary:
India has seen a steady fall in poverty levels over the decades — both in percentage and number, especially in rural areas, with millions escaping multidimensional poverty between 2015 and 2021.

Inter-State Disparities in Poverty

🧩 Meaning

• Poverty in India is not uniform across all states.
• The proportion of poor people varies from state to state — this difference is called inter-state disparity.

📉 Decline in State-Level Poverty

• Since the early 1970s, state-level poverty has significantly declined.
• Rate of reduction is different in each state.
• Some states have achieved faster poverty reduction, while others have improved more slowly.

🏙️ States with Low Poverty (2019–21)

• States with Head Count Ratio (HCR) less than 10% include:
  Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, and Maharashtra.

🪜 States Showing Remarkable Progress

• Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan — though they started with high poverty levels, have made remarkable strides in reducing poverty.

🧠 Different Strategies Followed by States

• Kerala → Focused on Human Resource Development (Education & Health).
• West Bengal → Implemented Land Reforms to reduce poverty.
• Andhra Pradesh & Tamil Nadu → Improved Public Distribution System (PDS) for food grains, ensuring food security for the poor.

✅ Summary Table

🧠MCQs on Inter-State Disparities

Q1. What does inter-state disparity in poverty mean?
A) Poverty is equal in all states
B) Difference in poverty levels across states
C) Poverty in rural vs urban areas
D) Global poverty comparison
➡️ Answer: B) Difference in poverty levels across states

Q2. Which of the following states had less than 10% HCR during 2019–21?
A) Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
B) Tamil Nadu and Delhi
C) Jharkhand and Odisha
D) Assam and Chhattisgarh
➡️ Answer: B) Tamil Nadu and Delhi

Q3. Which state focused on human resource development to reduce poverty?
A) West Bengal
B) Kerala
C) Rajasthan
D) Haryana
➡️ Answer: B) Kerala

Q4. In which state have land reforms helped reduce poverty?
A) West Bengal
B) Andhra Pradesh
C) Punjab
D) Gujarat
➡️ Answer: A) West Bengal

Q5. What was the main factor behind poverty reduction in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu?
A) Industrialization
B) Public Distribution System (PDS) for food grains
C) Export promotion
D) Tourism
➡️ Answer: B) Public Distribution System (PDS) for food grains

Vulnerable Groups

🧩 Meaning

• The proportion of people below the poverty line is not the same for all social and economic groups in India.
• Some groups are more vulnerable (more likely to be poor) than others.

👥 Most Vulnerable Social Groups

• Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are the most vulnerable to poverty.
• These groups often face social discrimination, low education, and limited job opportunities.

🚜 Most Vulnerable Economic Groups

• Among economic categories,
  • Rural agricultural labourers, and
  • Urban casual labourers
    are the most affected by poverty.

📊 Poverty Statistics (Approximate Figures)

👉 This means 43 out of 100 Scheduled Tribe members cannot meet their basic needs — the highest poverty ratio among all.

⚠️ Double Disadvantage

• A landless casual wage labourer who also belongs to a Scheduled Caste or Tribe faces a “double disadvantage” — both social and economic vulnerability.
• This makes their situation even more serious and difficult to overcome.

📉 Trends in Poverty Decline

• During the 1990s, poverty declined for:
  • Scheduled Castes (SCs)
  • Rural agricultural labourers
  • Urban casual labourers
• However, Scheduled Tribe households continue to experience high poverty rates.

👪 Intra-Family Inequality

• Inequality also exists within families.
• In poor households, everyone suffers, but some suffer more — especially:
  • Women
  • Elderly people
  • Female infants
• These members often get less food, less care, and fewer resources.

✅ Summary Table

🧠MCQs on Vulnerable Groups

Q1. What does the term vulnerable groups refer to?
A) Groups least affected by poverty
B) Groups more likely to fall below the poverty line
C) Rich social classes
D) Only rural people
➡️ Answer: B) Groups more likely to fall below the poverty line

Q2. Which social groups are most vulnerable to poverty?
A) OBCs and minorities
B) Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
C) Urban middle class
D) Industrial workers
➡️ Answer: B) Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

Q3. Which economic groups are most vulnerable?
A) Rural landowners
B) Rural agricultural labourers and urban casual labourers
C) Government employees
D) Traders
➡️ Answer: B) Rural agricultural labourers and urban casual labourers

Q4. What is the national average of people below the poverty line in India (as per data given)?
A) 10%
B) 22%
C) 30%
D) 40%
➡️ Answer: B) 22%

Q5. What percentage of Scheduled Tribes (STs) are poor?
A) 29%
B) 34%
C) 43%
D) 22%
➡️ Answer: C) 43%

Q6. About 34% of which groups are below the poverty line?
A) Urban businessmen
B) Urban casual labourers and rural farm labourers
C) Government officials
D) Students
➡️ Answer: B) Urban casual labourers and rural farm labourers

Q7. What percentage of Scheduled Castes (SCs) are poor?
A) 43%
B) 29%
C) 22%
D) 34%
➡️ Answer: B) 29%

Q8. What does “double disadvantage” refer to?
A) Belonging to two states
B) Belonging to a poor social group and being a landless labourer
C) Owning no property
D) Migration from rural to urban
➡️ Answer: B) Belonging to a poor social group and being a landless labourer

Q9. Which group still faces the highest poverty despite overall decline?
A) Scheduled Castes
B) Scheduled Tribes
C) Urban salaried workers
D) Rural artisans
➡️ Answer: B) Scheduled Tribes

Q10. Which groups saw a decline in poverty during the 1990s?
A) Only Scheduled Tribes
B) SCs, rural agricultural labourers, and urban casual labourers
C) Only rural people
D) Government workers
➡️ Answer: B) SCs, rural agricultural labourers, and urban casual labourers

Q11. In poor families, who often suffer more than others?
A) Men
B) Women, elderly, and female infants
C) Children only
D) None
➡️ Answer: B) Women, elderly, and female infants

Q12. What causes intra-family inequality?
A) Equal access to resources
B) Unequal access to food and care
C) High income
D) Government aid
➡️ Answer: B) Unequal access to food and care

Q13. Why are urban casual labourers vulnerable?
A) They have permanent jobs
B) They have unstable, low-paying work
C) They are government employees
D) They have large landholdings
➡️ Answer: B) They have unstable, low-paying work

Q14. Why do Scheduled Tribes remain the poorest group?
A) Isolation, low literacy, and limited job access
B) High education
C) Strong urban presence
D) Rich in land resources
➡️ Answer: A) Isolation, low literacy, and limited job access

Q15. The main message from the study of vulnerable groups is that:
A) Poverty affects everyone equally
B) Some groups face much higher poverty than others
C) Only rural people are poor
D) Urban people are never poor
➡️ Answer: B) Some groups face much higher poverty than others

Global Poverty Scenario

🧭 Is Poverty Limited to India?

• No, poverty exists in many countries across the world.
• To compare poverty globally, international organizations like the World Bank use a common poverty line.

💲 Global Poverty Line

• The World Bank defines extreme poverty as living on less than $2.15 per person per day.
• This standard helps to compare poverty between different countries using a uniform currency.
• The US dollar ($) is used because it is the most widely accepted international currency for comparison.

📉 Global Poverty Reduction

• The proportion of people living in extreme poverty globally has fallen:
  • From 16.27% in 2010 → to 9.05% in 2019.
• This means that fewer people worldwide now live below the poverty line.

China and Southeast Asia

• China and Southeast Asian countries (like Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia) have seen sharp declines in poverty.
• Reasons:
  • Rapid economic growth
  • Massive investment in human resource development
• In China, poverty reduced to just 0.1% in 2020 — a remarkable achievement.

South Asia

• Includes India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Maldives.
• Poverty declined from 13% in 2017 → to 11% in 2021.
• The number of poor people in South Asia fell from 233 million (2017) → to 207 million (2021).

🌍 Other Regions

📈 Key Takeaways

• Global poverty is reducing, but regional differences remain.
• East Asia (especially China) has done exceptionally well,
• while Africa and Latin America still face persistent poverty.
• Economic growth + investment in education and health are key to reducing poverty worldwide.

🧠MCQs on Global Poverty Scenario

Q1. Which international organization defines the global poverty line?
A) IMF
B) World Bank
C) WHO
D) WTO
➡️ Answer: B) World Bank

Q2. The World Bank defines extreme poverty as living on less than:
A) $1.25 per day
B) $2.15 per day
C) $5.00 per day
D) $3.50 per day
➡️ Answer: B) $2.15 per day

Q3. The proportion of global poor fell from 16.27% in 2010 to ______ in 2019.
A) 15%
B) 12%
C) 9.05%
D) 7%
➡️ Answer: C) 9.05%

Q4. Why is the US dollar used in global poverty comparisons?
A) It is India’s currency
B) It is used for global standardization
C) It changes frequently
D) It is the poorest country’s currency
➡️ Answer: B) It is used for global standardization

Q5. Which country reduced poverty to just 0.1% in 2020?
A) India
B) China
C) Nepal
D) Sri Lanka
➡️ Answer: B) China

Q6. Poverty in South Asia declined from 13% in 2017 to ____ in 2021.
A) 10%
B) 11%
C) 9%
D) 15%
➡️ Answer: B) 11%

Q7. The number of poor people in South Asia fell from 233 million (2017) to ______ (2021).
A) 220 million
B) 207 million
C) 190 million
D) 250 million
➡️ Answer: B) 207 million

Q8. Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa declined from:
A) 40% to 36%
B) 36.6% to 35%
C) 30% to 20%
D) 50% to 45%
➡️ Answer: B) 36.6% to 35%

Q9. In Latin America and the Caribbean, poverty has:
A) Decreased sharply
B) Remained same
C) Increased slightly
D) Disappeared
➡️ Answer: C) Increased slightly

Q10. Poverty reappeared (~3% in 2000) in which region?
A) Sub-Saharan Africa
B) Former socialist countries (e.g., Russia)
C) South Asia
D) East Asia
➡️ Answer: B) Former socialist countries (e.g., Russia)

Poverty and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

🧭 What are Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 2015.
• They are a global plan to promote peace, prosperity, and sustainability for both people and the planet.
• There are 17 SDGs in total.

🎯 Goal on Poverty

• The first SDG aims to end poverty in all its forms everywhere by 2030.
• This includes eliminating extreme poverty and ensuring that all people have equal access to basic needs — food, health care, education, and decent living standards.

🤝 Global Cooperation

• Achieving these goals requires joint efforts from both developed and developing countries.
• Developed nations are expected to:
  • Support developing countries financially and technically.
  • Help in improving health and education systems.
  • Reduce inequalities between nations.
  • Tackle climate change together.
  • Promote sustainable economic growth without harming the environment.

🌱 Why SDGs Matter

• The SDGs form a shared blueprint for building a better, fairer, and cleaner world.
• They connect poverty reduction with sustainable development — showing that ending poverty and protecting the planet must go hand in hand.

✅ Summary Table

🧠MCQs on Poverty and Sustainable Development Goals

Q1. The United Nations (UN) aims to end poverty of all types by:
A) 2025
B) 2030
C) 2040
D) 2050
➡️ Answer: B) 2030

Q2. How many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are there in total?
A) 10
B) 15
C) 17
D) 20
➡️ Answer: C) 17

Q3. The first SDG focuses on:
A) Quality education
B) Gender equality
C) Ending poverty in all forms everywhere
D) Clean water and sanitation
➡️ Answer: C) Ending poverty in all forms everywhere

Q4. SDGs provide a shared blueprint for:
A) Economic growth only
B) Peace and prosperity for people and planet
C) Industrialization
D) Global trade
➡️ Answer: B) Peace and prosperity for people and planet

Q5. Developed countries are expected to:
A) Work alone on poverty issues
B) Support developing nations in achieving SDGs
C) Ignore developing nations
D) Reduce taxes
➡️ Answer: B) Support developing nations in achieving SDGs

Q6. SDGs link poverty reduction with:
A) Industrial competition
B) Sustainable development
C) Political campaigns
D) Military spending
➡️ Answer: B) Sustainable development

Q7. Which of the following is not a focus area of SDGs mentioned here?
A) Climate change
B) Health and education
C) Inequality reduction
D) Space exploration
➡️ Answer: D) Space exploration

Causes of Poverty

🧭 1. Historical Causes

• A major historical reason for poverty in India is the low level of economic development during the British colonial period.
• British policies:
  • Ruined traditional handicrafts
  • Discouraged Indian industries (like textiles)
• This led to widespread unemployment and low income levels.

📉 2. Slow Economic Growth

• Even after independence, economic growth remained slow until the 1980s.
• The low growth rate of income meant fewer job opportunities.
• At the same time, population grew rapidly, increasing pressure on resources.

🌾 3. Uneven Impact of the Green Revolution

• The Green Revolution created new agricultural jobs and improved productivity.
• But its impact was limited to certain regions (like Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh).
• Poor farmers in other regions continued to struggle.

🏭 4. Limited Industrialization and Urban Poverty

• Industries (public and private) created some employment, but not enough to absorb all job seekers.
• Many migrated to cities in search of work but ended up in informal jobs — rickshaw pullers, vendors, construction workers, domestic servants, etc.
• With irregular and low income, they lived in urban slums — making poverty an urban issue too.

⚖️ 5. Income Inequality

• Huge income inequalities are another major cause of poverty.
• Unequal distribution of land and resources means wealth is concentrated in few hands.
• Land reforms, meant to redistribute land, were poorly implemented by most states.

💸 6. Indebtedness and Social Pressures

• Poor people often borrow money for:
  • Agricultural inputs (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides)
  • Social obligations (marriages, festivals, religious ceremonies)
• With high-interest loans and low income, they fail to repay and fall into a cycle of debt.
• Thus, indebtedness becomes both a cause and effect of poverty.

👪 7. Socio-Cultural Factors

• Cultural habits such as lavish spending on social and religious events drain savings.
• Illiteracy, lack of skill training, and caste-based discrimination also restrict upward mobility.

✅ Summary Table

🧠MCQs on Causes of Poverty

Q1. One historical reason for poverty in India was:
A) Fast industrialization
B) British colonial exploitation
C) Land redistribution
D) Population decline
➡️ Answer: B) British colonial exploitation

Q2. British policies mainly affected which sector?
A) Banking
B) Traditional handicrafts and textiles
C) Mining
D) Transportation
➡️ Answer: B) Traditional handicrafts and textiles

Q3. What was the result of slow economic growth till the 1980s?
A) Increased job opportunities
B) Low income and high unemployment
C) Rapid urban development
D) More exports
➡️ Answer: B) Low income and high unemployment

Q4. Which factor increased pressure on limited resources?
A) Urbanization
B) Population growth
C) Migration
D) Industrialization
➡️ Answer: B) Population growth

Q5. The Green Revolution mainly benefited:
A) All states equally
B) Only some regions like Punjab and Haryana
C) Only tribal areas
D) Hilly regions
➡️ Answer: B) Only some regions like Punjab and Haryana

Q6. Industrial growth created:
A) Enough jobs for everyone
B) Some jobs but not sufficient
C) No jobs at all
D) Only government jobs
➡️ Answer: B) Some jobs but not sufficient

Q7. Migrants to cities often work as:
A) Bank managers
B) Engineers
C) Rickshaw pullers and vendors
D) Teachers
➡️ Answer: C) Rickshaw pullers and vendors

Q8. Poverty, earlier a rural problem, became urban due to:
A) Industrial expansion
B) Migration to cities
C) Increase in literacy
D) Technological growth
➡️ Answer: B) Migration to cities

Q9. Which factor reflects income inequality?
A) Equal land ownership
B) Unequal distribution of resources
C) Government subsidies
D) High literacy rate
➡️ Answer: B) Unequal distribution of resources

Q10. Land reforms aimed to:
A) Redistribute land to poor farmers
B) Increase export production
C) Create industries
D) Reduce inflation
➡️ Answer: A) Redistribute land to poor farmers

Q11. Why were land reforms ineffective?
A) Lack of funds
B) Poor implementation by states
C) High literacy rate
D) Farmers refused reforms
➡️ Answer: B) Poor implementation by states

Q12. Indebtedness is both a:
A) Result of education
B) Cause and effect of poverty
C) Political movement
D) Social benefit
➡️ Answer: B) Cause and effect of poverty

Q13. Poor farmers borrow mainly to buy:
A) Land
B) Agricultural inputs like seeds and fertilizers
C) Automobiles
D) Houses in cities
➡️ Answer: B) Agricultural inputs like seeds and fertilizers

Q14. Why do poor people spend money on social events?
A) To increase savings
B) Due to social and religious obligations
C) To start businesses
D) To avoid taxes
➡️ Answer: B) Due to social and religious obligations

Q15. High-interest loans often lead to:
A) Debt trap
B) Higher income
C) Job opportunities
D) Industrial growth
➡️ Answer: A) Debt trap

Q16. Urban slums are a result of:
A) Agricultural prosperity
B) Unemployment and migration
C) Government housing policy
D) Literacy programs
➡️ Answer: B) Unemployment and migration

Q17. A major policy that failed to reduce rural poverty effectively:
A) Green Revolution
B) Land reforms
C) National Highway Development
D) Privatization
➡️ Answer: B) Land reforms

Q18. Which statement is true about income inequality?
A) It helps reduce poverty
B) It widens the gap between rich and poor
C) It gives equal opportunities
D) It has no effect on society
➡️ Answer: B) It widens the gap between rich and poor

Q19. Spending on festivals by poor families results in:
A) Savings increase
B) Wastage of hard-earned income
C) Economic development
D) Inflation control
➡️ Answer: B) Wastage of hard-earned income

Q20. Which of the following is a socio-cultural cause of poverty?
A) Industrial policy
B) Borrowing for social and religious ceremonies
C) Export of goods
D) Foreign investment
➡️ Answer: B) Borrowing for social and religious ceremonies

Anti-Poverty Measures

🎯 Main Objective

• Removal of poverty has always been a major goal of India’s developmental strategy.
• The current anti-poverty strategy rests on two main pillars:
  1️⃣ Promotion of Economic Growth
  2️⃣ Targeted Anti-Poverty Programmes

📈Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction

• For the first 30 years after Independence (1950–1980):
  • Per capita income growth was low,
  • Poverty levels remained high (~45%).
• Since the 1980s, India’s economic growth accelerated:
  • 1970s: ~3.5% per year
  • 1980s–1990s: ~6% per year
  • 2000–2020: Among the fastest-growing economies in the world
• This higher growth rate helped reduce poverty significantly.
• Link between growth and poverty reduction:
  • Growth → creates jobs, income, education opportunities, and social mobility.
  • Economic growth provides resources for human development like health, education, and infrastructure.

🌾 Challenges

• Growth in agriculture sector has been below expectations.
• Since most poor people live in villages, slow agricultural growth directly affects poverty levels.
• Therefore, economic growth alone is not enough — targeted programmes are necessary.

Targeted Anti-Poverty Programmes

🧱 A. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005

• Provides 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to every rural household.
• Ensures livelihood security and sustainable development.
• Focuses on preventing drought, deforestation, and soil erosion.
• One-third of jobs reserved for women.
• Wage rates revised regularly.

🍽️ B. Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM Poshan) (Mid-Day Meal Scheme)

• Aims to:
  1️⃣ Improve nutrition (especially calorie & protein intake).
  2️⃣ Increase school enrolment and reduce dropouts.
• Targets students of Classes I–VIII in Government and aided schools.
• Encourages attendance and focus among poor children.
• Implemented with help of local governments & community groups.

🤰 C. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), 2016

• Ensures safe pregnancies and maternal care.
• Provides quality antenatal check-ups for pregnant women.
• Conducted on the 9th day of every month.
• Encourages private practitioners to volunteer in government hospitals.
• Aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates.

🔥 D. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), 2016

• Promotes women empowerment and clean cooking fuel (LPG).
• Provides free LPG connections (including stove & first refill) to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
• Targets: SCs, STs, forest dwellers, and marginalized rural households.
• Reduces respiratory diseases, deforestation, and carbon emissions.
• Connections are issued in the name of female members.
• Encourages women participation in social & economic activities.

Environmental and Social Impact

• Use of clean cooking fuel (LPG) → reduces pollution and deforestation.
• Promotes environmental sustainability and gender equality.
• Economic growth + social schemes → both are essential to reduce poverty sustainably.

✅ Summary Table

🧠MCQs on Anti-Poverty Measures

Q1. The main goal of India’s development strategy is:
A) Industrialization only
B) Removal of poverty
C) Foreign trade expansion
D) Military modernization
➡️ Answer: B) Removal of poverty

Q2. India’s anti-poverty strategy is based on:
A) Only subsidies
B) Economic growth and targeted programmes
C) Import substitution
D) Population control
➡️ Answer: B) Economic growth and targeted programmes

Q3. Till the early 1980s, poverty in India remained around:
A) 25%
B) 45%
C) 60%
D) 10%
➡️ Answer: B) 45%

Q4. India’s economic growth rate during the 1970s was about:
A) 2%
B) 3.5%
C) 5%
D) 8%
➡️ Answer: B) 3.5%

Q5. Growth rate during the 1980s–1990s increased to around:
A) 4%
B) 6%
C) 8%
D) 10%
➡️ Answer: B) 6%

Q6. Higher growth helps poverty reduction by:
A) Increasing prices
B) Widening job opportunities
C) Reducing trade
D) Limiting education
➡️ Answer: B) Widening job opportunities

Q7. Growth in which sector has been below expectations?
A) Industry
B) Agriculture
C) Services
D) Transport
➡️ Answer: B) Agriculture

Q8. The majority of India’s poor live in:
A) Villages
B) Towns
C) Metros
D) Foreign countries
➡️ Answer: A) Villages

Q9. MGNREGA was launched in:
A) 2000
B) 2003
C) 2005
D) 2007
➡️ Answer: C) 2005

Q10. MGNREGA guarantees:
A) 50 days of employment
B) 100 days of wage employment
C) 200 days of salary
D) None
➡️ Answer: B) 100 days of wage employment

Q11. One-third of MGNREGA jobs are reserved for:
A) SCs
B) STs
C) Women
D) Senior citizens
➡️ Answer: C) Women

Q12. MGNREGA also aims to address:
A) Inflation
B) Drought, deforestation, soil erosion
C) Education
D) Banking
➡️ Answer: B) Drought, deforestation, soil erosion

Q13. The PM Poshan scheme was earlier known as:
A) ICDS
B) Mid-Day Meal Scheme
C) PM Garib Kalyan Yojana
D) PDS
➡️ Answer: B) Mid-Day Meal Scheme

Q14. PM Poshan covers which classes?
A) 1–5
B) 1–8
C) 6–10
D) 9–12
➡️ Answer: B) 1–8

Q15. One major goal of PM Poshan is to:
A) Increase sports participation
B) Improve nutrition and school enrolment
C) Reduce electricity usage
D) Increase exports
➡️ Answer: B) Improve nutrition and school enrolment

Q16. PM Poshan is implemented with support from:
A) Banks
B) Local governments and community groups
C) Private companies
D) Police departments
➡️ Answer: B) Local governments and community groups

Q17. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan was launched in:
A) 2014
B) 2015
C) 2016
D) 2017
➡️ Answer: C) 2016

Q18. PMSMA aims to reduce:
A) Inflation
B) Maternal and infant mortality
C) Migration
D) Unemployment
➡️ Answer: B) Maternal and infant mortality

Q19. Services under PMSMA are provided:
A) On the 1st day of the month
B) On the 9th day of each month
C) Weekly
D) Annually
➡️ Answer: B) On the 9th day of each month

Q20. PMUY stands for:
A) Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
B) Pradhan Mantri Urban Yojana
C) Public Management Utility Yojana
D) None
➡️ Answer: A) Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

Q21. PMUY provides:
A) Free education
B) Free LPG connection
C) Free housing
D) Free water
➡️ Answer: B) Free LPG connection

Q22. LPG connections under PMUY are issued in the name of:
A) Male head of family
B) Female member of family
C) Child
D) Village head
➡️ Answer: B) Female member of family

Q23. The main aim of PMUY is:
A) Digital education
B) Women empowerment through clean fuel
C) Free ration
D) Urban housing
➡️ Answer: B) Women empowerment through clean fuel

Q24. PMUY helps in reducing:
A) Deforestation and pollution
B) Literacy
C) Employment
D) Migration
➡️ Answer: A) Deforestation and pollution

Q25. PMUY was launched in:
A) 2014
B) 2015
C) 2016
D) 2018
➡️ Answer: C) 2016

Q26. The main beneficiaries of PMUY are:
A) Urban rich
B) Below Poverty Line (BPL) families
C) Government officials
D) Private sector workers
➡️ Answer: B) Below Poverty Line (BPL) families

Q27. The economic and environmental benefit of LPG use is:
A) More carbon emissions
B) Less deforestation and cleaner air
C) More indoor pollution
D) Reduced fuel imports
➡️ Answer: B) Less deforestation and cleaner air

Q28. Which scheme directly focuses on employment generation?
A) PMUY
B) PMSMA
C) MGNREGA
D) PM Poshan
➡️ Answer: C) MGNREGA

Q29. Which of the following links poverty reduction with nutrition and education?
A) PMUY
B) PM Poshan
C) PMSMA
D) MGNREGA
➡️ Answer: B) PM Poshan

Q30. The overall impact of anti-poverty programmes is:
A) Increase inequality
B) Promote inclusive growth and development
C) Raise inflation
D) Reduce literacy
➡️ Answer: B) Promote inclusive growth and development

✅ Memory Trick – “4 Power Pillars of Anti-Poverty” (💡 Mnemonic: EMPS)
E – Economic Growth
M – MGNREGA
P – PM Poshan
S – Schemes for Safety & Sustainability (PMSMA, PMUY)

The Challenges Ahead

📉 1️⃣ Poverty Reduction in India

• Poverty has declined significantly in India over the years.
• However, poverty reduction remains one of India’s biggest challenges even today.

🌾 2️⃣ Persistent Disparities

• Wide disparities in poverty exist between:
  • Rural and urban areas, and
  • Different states.
• Some social and economic groups (like Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and casual labourers) are still more vulnerable.

💪 3️⃣ Factors Helping in Poverty Reduction

Poverty reduction in the future depends on:

• Higher economic growth
• Universal education
• Declining population growth
• Empowerment of women
• Support for economically weaker sections

Together, these factors create opportunities for inclusive and sustainable development.

🧠 4️⃣ Redefining Poverty

• The income-based definition of poverty captures only a limited view.
• It measures a minimum subsistence level, not a reasonable standard of living.
• True poverty includes lack of education, healthcare, shelter, security, and dignity.

🌍 5️⃣ Concept of Human Poverty

• Scholars suggest a shift from income poverty to human poverty, which includes:
  • Lack of education
  • Lack of health care
  • Lack of job security
  • Lack of self-confidence
  • Caste and gender discrimination
  • Child labour practices
• Human poverty focuses on quality of life, not just survival.

📊 6️⃣ Changing Definitions with Development

• As countries develop, the meaning of poverty also evolves.
• People begin expecting better living standards, not just basic needs.

🏛️ 7️⃣ Government Role and Interventions

• Government programmes (such as rural employment, health, and education schemes) have helped reduce multidimensional poverty.
• The National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) by NITI Aayog shows a decline in both number and proportion of the poor in India.

✅ 8️⃣ The Way Forward

• Sustained economic growth and inclusive policies are needed.
• Focus on education, gender equality, social justice, and healthcare can help India move toward a poverty-free future.

📘 Summary Table

🧠MCQs on The Challenges Ahead

Q1. Poverty in India has:
A) Completely disappeared
B) Declined but remains a major challenge
C) Increased over time
D) Stayed the same
➡️ Answer: B) Declined but remains a major challenge

Q2. Which type of disparities still exist in poverty levels?
A) Only urban
B) Rural-urban and state-wise disparities
C) Industrial
D) None
➡️ Answer: B) Rural-urban and state-wise disparities

Q3. Which groups remain more vulnerable to poverty?
A) Urban rich
B) Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and casual labourers
C) Industrial workers
D) Business owners
➡️ Answer: B) Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and casual labourers

Q4. Which of the following helps in poverty reduction?
A) Declining education
B) Population growth
C) Economic growth and women empowerment
D) Increasing inequality
➡️ Answer: C) Economic growth and women empowerment

Q5. Income-based definitions of poverty focus on:
A) A reasonable standard of living
B) Minimum subsistence level of living
C) Quality of life
D) Equality and justice
➡️ Answer: B) Minimum subsistence level of living

Q6. The term “human poverty” includes lack of:
A) Money only
B) Education, health, and dignity
C) Political rights
D) Land ownership only
➡️ Answer: B) Education, health, and dignity

Q7. Which social issue is still linked to poverty in India?
A) Caste and gender discrimination
B) Industrial expansion
C) Globalization
D) Export policy
➡️ Answer: A) Caste and gender discrimination

Q8. The practice of child labour is related to:
A) Cultural pride
B) Poverty and lack of education
C) Government policy
D) Technological growth
➡️ Answer: B) Poverty and lack of education

Q9. The National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is prepared by:
A) World Bank
B) NITI Aayog
C) IMF
D) RBI
➡️ Answer: B) NITI Aayog

Q10. According to the MPI, India’s multidimensional poverty has:
A) Increased sharply
B) Remained constant
C) Declined due to government interventions
D) Not been measured
➡️ Answer: C) Declined due to government interventions